Mega Yacht Project Cosmos to Propel the Build to 30 Knots: Project Cosmos, the longest and largest volume mega yacht too be built in the history of Heesen Yachts posed a challenge: how to keep weight down while simultaneously ensuring structural integrity for such a performance. The Dutch shipbuilder, in conjunction with Van Ooossanen Naval Architects came up with the “Backbone.” Like a human backbone, Project Cosmos’ backbone supports heavy-duty requirements.

Putting it into perspective, Project Cosmos has a volume of 1,700 GT, while Heesen’s largest project on the seas, Galatica Super Nova has a volume of 1,200 GT. That makes Project Cosmos’ volume nearly 50 % larger. Aluminum construction helped reduced the weight, however, at the same time, the project needed quadruple 20V 4000 Series MTU engines for the right speed. Additional longitudinal strength was essential without adding much more weight.

The Backbone is still patent-pending, so Heesen won’t release drawings. The shipyard likens it to an I-beam used in building construction. With Project Cosmos, the keel is the bottom of the I-beam while the top bar of the I is where the hull and deck come together at port and starboard. As the Backbone provides all the strength, the hull plating isn’t load-bearing.

Project Cosmos’ styling is by Winch Design with interiors by Sinot Exclusive Yacht Design. Notable features include a helipad convertible to an alfresco cinema. The megayacht has a sunken onyx bar in her beach club with a glass-bottomed swimming pool directly above it.

The mega yacht design has already had extensive tank tests on her hull. Tests for other features, such as the Promas rudders, which should make the yacht more maneuverable at low speeds, reduce fuel burn and emissions, are ongoing.